The track length is 5516 m, so a lap time of 1:30.0 means an average speed of 220.64 kph. For comparison, the average speed of the pole lap in India (perhaps comparably fast track) was 216.34 kph, so it may indeed be close to 1:30 in qualifying.

I'm expecting Mclaren to drop back a little from Abu Dhabi and it will be very interesting to see how close Ferrari can get to Vettel

The tyres may affect the order, Pirelli probably chose too hard compounds. The temperature could be quite low as well, and on a newly laid and slippery track surface the lack of grip will likely be an issue. The smooth track and lack of bumps is probably good news for McLaren, and the above mentioned low grip conditions may suit Hamilton in particular.

Looks to me like, after watching that lap on the Lotus, if you're in the dirty air its going to be near on impossible to overtake, all those long corners and esses are going to leave the second car a long way behind going into the hairpins and onto the straights, that long right hander could play a factor on the left front tyre in the race too on high fuel.

The 1st sector is gonna be a testing ground for drivers nuts DRS-wise. Who's gonna leave it open through T2, who's gonna open it early at corner exit... Turns 1, 11 & 12 are good places where we can see outbraking maneuvers.

Looks to me like, after watching that lap on the Lotus, if you're in the dirty air its going to be near on impossible to overtake, all those long corners and esses are going to leave the second car a long way behind going into the hairpins and onto the straights, that long right hander could play a factor on the left front tyre in the race too on high fuel.

Yes, the track consists largely of "sweepers", so I believe you're right; it'll be easy to pull a gap here (on lap one).

Looks like a track where Red Bull and also Sauber should excel. Then again I can't see Red Bull outright embarrassing the rest here, so I believe that McLaren will be convincing front-row threats, and then also fight for first in the race. I'm sure Hamilton will feel a lot of support here, so he should be very inspired.

As of now I would think that Lotus would perhaps be better here than Ferrari, but with pending upgrades for Ferrari perhaps not. I mentioned Sauber 'cause I believe they will have a GP-weekend where they show consistent top 8 pace.

I hit the road on Sunday and arrive Tuesday for what should be a fun filled and crazy GP weekend. I love GP weekends no matter where in the world they are and I think Austin will live up to the festive atmosphere usually generated. I haven't been there before, but from all accounts, it is fairly festive even when there aren't events happening on every corner, lol.

I'll be there as well, 2nd race this year after Canada. Very excited, especially because the race itself is on my birthday. Maybe MSC can give me a farewell present and get his dog of a merc on the podium?

I'll be there as well, 2nd race this year after Canada. Very excited, especially because the race itself is on my birthday. Maybe MSC can give me a farewell present and get his dog of a merc on the podium?

Very doubtful, but there's nothing wrong with a little hope, especially after I was robbed of seeing him on the podium because of the ease of DRS passing in Canada last year. Guess I'll have to settle for the 5 wins and 3 2nds I saw him earn in my years attending the Montreal race. In fact, the only time he didn't finish in the top 2 in his first career since I started attending that race was when he crashed out of the lead in '99. Not bad.

For some reason I think the McLaren might go well here. I just see the track as a bit similar to Abu Dhabi. The braking zones in 3rd sector might give Hamilton some hope as that is his stock in trade (Late braking). I won't be surprised to see him on the front row. Also I think the tire choice suits the McLaren as they have issues switching on the softs tyres. So medium/Hard might suit them.

For some reason I think the McLaren might go well here. I just see the track as a bit similar to Abu Dhabi. The braking zones in 3rd sector might give Hamilton some hope as that is his stock in trade (Late braking). I won't be surprised to see him on the front row. Also I think the tire choice suits the McLaren as they have issues switching on the softs tyres. So medium/Hard might suit them.

If they had trouble switching the softs surely they're gonna have more trouble switching the mediums and hards?

If they had trouble switching the softs surely they're gonna have more trouble switching the mediums and hards?

They had no problems switching the mediums on in Abu Dhabi. It was the softs that gave them about an 0.1sec extra performance until they got the tires warmed up, usually after 2 -3 Laps whilst others got 0.5-0.7 extra performance from their first run.

1 slightly random thing I'd say is what is it with (what seems like) every new track being around 5.5KM long and therefore (what seems like) every new track being 55-57 laps? Every new track seems to be the same sort of length, the same number of laps give or take 1 or 2 laps, and all trying to build the new longest straight in F1.

1 slightly random thing I'd say is what is it with (what seems like) every new track being around 5.5KM long and therefore (what seems like) every new track being 55-57 laps? Every new track seems to be the same sort of length, the same number of laps give or take 1 or 2 laps, and all trying to build the new longest straight in F1.

The unfortunate standardization of F1 continues in every possible facet.

1 slightly random thing I'd say is what is it with (what seems like) every new track being around 5.5KM long and therefore (what seems like) every new track being 55-57 laps? Every new track seems to be the same sort of length, the same number of laps give or take 1 or 2 laps, and all trying to build the new longest straight in F1.

Every new track is designed by Tilke, so it is not surprising they end up being similar.

1 slightly random thing I'd say is what is it with (what seems like) every new track being around 5.5KM long and therefore (what seems like) every new track being 55-57 laps? Every new track seems to be the same sort of length, the same number of laps give or take 1 or 2 laps, and all trying to build the new longest straight in F1.

So true btw is this the longest straight on the calender now or is it the same as india on the F1 game it seems longer .

The longest proper straight in the calendar is in Shangai, 1370 m. The longest flat out section is in Spa, all the way from La Source to Les Combes, 1875m.

Oh yes how can i forget just to say this Track layout is really gonna push the drivers on the limit and award aggressive driver's like Alonso,Hamilton and Vettel who love to hack at that wheel . This track has become one of my favs on F12012 when attacking these corners it really is a great experience . I hope it brings some good racing and challenges on its debut , can't wait personally nice to back in America could turn the title run in on its head, We shall see ?

By the way does anyone know the lenght of the longest straight on the Circuit. I heard its 1.2km long. Won't that make it the longest straight currently on the calendar??

Tilke did not design it. Thankfully he had very little input. Helmund and Schwantz designed it and Tilke constructions built it. The only influence tilke had on the track layout would be the minor necessary changes to meet the FIA standards. eg. Straight lengths....etc

I have heard the Austin straight is 1 km. I walked it on Saturday, but did not have my pedometer on.

The track was initially ;aid out by Tavo and Schwantz. Tilke is the engineer of record, and he made several changes from the original layout of Tavo and Schwantz.

In the eyes of the law and for all legal purposes, Tilke did design the track. Neither Tavo or Schwantz would legally be able to take responsibility for the design of the track as they are not licensed engineers. They are Tilke's client and while they can put forth proposals for Tilke, Tilke must shape those proposals into legal parameters in references to the FIA's regulations.